Outside temperature sensor

aslan · Oct 25th, 2016, 09:15

Hi all

I'm in Malaysia where it's hot and humid. I was shocked when the temp display on the dash showed this

It was hovering below freezing point, at the end of the journey it started to climb up to 6 deg C which is still way off. Is the sensor faulty?

Does the ambient temp influence any functioning of the car? I know with the P2 the climate control module does factor in the ambient temperature. Not sure with this model though. I wonder if I can leave it be ...

Thanks

GaryS40 · Oct 25th, 2016, 09:51

Mine read -34C a few years ago, but at the same time, the fuel gauge read empty, even if it was totally full!

Switched the car off and started it again - back to normal.

Not sure if it was a loose connection or similar.

Did it a few times, over a long period of time and then started working normally again.

Not happened for over 2 years now.

Gary

uservolvo · Jan 1st, 2017, 21:28

Try to unplug the connector of the external temp sensor. Turn on the key an read the value on cluster. If report -40 or "--" is good. Switch off, clear the connector, be sure no water are inside the plug and plug again, switch on and read the value. Wait some minutes since the ecu "adjust" the previus reading with the new one.
If the situation is not changed could be the sensor to replace. I've replaced 2 sensors in 16 years due to the facts the salt/water in winter come inside the plastic and damage the resistor inside the plastic cover...now covered with an extra silicon high performance :-)

Robc9900 · Jan 3rd, 2017, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryS40

Mine read -34C a few years ago, but at the same time, the fuel gauge read empty, even if it was totally full!

Switched the car off and started it again - back to normal.

Not sure if it was a loose connection or similar.

Did it a few times, over a long period of time and then started working normally again.

Not happened for over 2 years now.

Gary

Hi Gary,
Exactly the same thing happen to me the other day, left the shopping centre and noticed the fuel gauge was dropping to zero,, some bastards nicked my petrol I thought then I noticed the temp gauge reading -34C. I drove about half a mile to put some fuel in just to be on the safe side, on the way the fuel gauge came up again but the temp was still wrong. Stopped the car turned off the engine restarted all ok, mystery ?. I had a good look cct diagrams in the Haynes manual and there doesn't appear to be any connection. Perhaps it's just an ecu startup error.
Regards
Rob

CopthorneMike · Jan 5th, 2017, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by uservolvo

Try to unplug the connector of the external temp sensor. Turn on the key an read the value on cluster. If report -40 or "--" is good. Switch off, clear the connector, be sure no water are inside the plug and plug again, switch on and read the value. Wait some minutes since the ecu "adjust" the previus reading with the new one.
If the situation is not changed could be the sensor to replace. I've replaced 2 sensors in 16 years due to the facts the salt/water in winter come inside the plastic and damage the resistor inside the plastic cover...now covered with an extra silicon high performance :-)

I must admit that the external temp has never provided a reading in the Information Centre although all the other reads out (av. mpg. miles left before refuelling) have always worked OK! Whereabouts are the sensor and the connector located - not a critical issue but would be nice to fix.

SIAMBLUE · Jan 5th, 2017, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by CopthorneMike

I must admit that the external temp has never provided a reading in the Information Centre although all the other reads out (av. mpg. miles left before refuelling) have always worked OK! Whereabouts are the sensor and the connector located - not a critical issue but would be nice to fix.

On the front bumper bar on the right of the rad ac pack as you stand in front of the car.

I can take a picture if you need it.

druid · Nov 26th, 2017, 17:19

Can any of you provide a part number?

ITSv40 · Nov 26th, 2017, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by druid

Can any of you provide a part number?

There you go: 30810375 1999 onwards.

druid · Nov 30th, 2017, 14:23

Just ordered one from FRF Swansea. £21 odd posted!

Cocopops101 · May 23rd, 2019, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIAMBLUE

On the front bumper bar on the right of the rad ac pack as you stand in front of the car.

I can take a picture if you need it.

Is this for s40 s 2005 model? Its just started happening to me too. When turning engine on it reads -5° but its actually 12° outside. Any chance if right model you could post wee pic please? As some saying sensor behind mirror and others saying in engine bay so not sure were to actually look as dont have manual anymore :^(

Oct 25th, 2016, 09:15	#1
aslan From far away Last Online: May 9th, 2023 05:21 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Selangor	Outside temperature sensor Hi all I'm in Malaysia where it's hot and humid. I was shocked when the temp display on the dash showed this It was hovering below freezing point, at the end of the journey it started to climb up to 6 deg C which is still way off. Is the sensor faulty? Does the ambient temp influence any functioning of the car? I know with the P2 the climate control module does factor in the ambient temperature. Not sure with this model though. I wonder if I can leave it be ... Thanks __________________ XC90 2.5T 2009 B5204T5 S80 2005 - sold B4204T3 V40 2004 - sold B230E 740 1989 - sold

Oct 25th, 2016, 09:51	#2
GaryS40 VOC Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2024 20:12 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Montrose	Mine read -34C a few years ago, but at the same time, the fuel gauge read empty, even if it was totally full! Switched the car off and started it again - back to normal. Not sure if it was a loose connection or similar. Did it a few times, over a long period of time and then started working normally again. Not happened for over 2 years now. Gary __________________ Current car: 2002 V70 2.4T SE Mod's so far: Orpheus alloys, 10.1" android multimedia head unit, Nappa leather rebuilt, wood trimmed m/function steering wheel, Polestar blue and black calipers, Pipe Dynamics custom turbo back stainless steel exhaust, with 200 cell sports cat, R engine and injector rail covers, tinted rear windows. Previous cars: 1982 760 GLE saloon 1989 740 GLE estate 1991 440 S 2003 S40 S - Gone but not forgotten. ☹ 16 non Volvos.

Nov 26th, 2017, 17:19	#7
druid V40 Owner Last Online: Dec 13th, 2020 01:28 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tonyrefail, Souh Wales. View Photos By: druid	Help? Can any of you provide a part number? __________________ *An MS Warior living one day at a time* "Neville" 207,000 so far. Water use 0 - oil negligible....

Nov 30th, 2017, 14:23	#9
druid V40 Owner Last Online: Dec 13th, 2020 01:28 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tonyrefail, Souh Wales. View Photos By: druid	Just ordered one from FRF Swansea. £21 odd posted! __________________ *An MS Warior living one day at a time* "Neville" 207,000 so far. Water use 0 - oil negligible....

Jan 1st, 2017, 21:28	#3
uservolvo New Member Last Online: Mar 31st, 2022 18:10 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Turin	Try to unplug the connector of the external temp sensor. Turn on the key an read the value on cluster. If report -40 or "--" is good. Switch off, clear the connector, be sure no water are inside the plug and plug again, switch on and read the value. Wait some minutes since the ecu "adjust" the previus reading with the new one. If the situation is not changed could be the sensor to replace. I've replaced 2 sensors in 16 years due to the facts the salt/water in winter come inside the plastic and damage the resistor inside the plastic cover...now covered with an extra silicon high performance :-)

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